Plants for Riparian Buffers

Website: Aberdeen Plant Materials Center http://plant-materials.nrcs.usda.gov Plants for Riparian Buffers P.O. Box 296, Aberdeen, ID 83210 Phone:(208) 397-4133 Fax:(208) 397-3104 What is a Riparian Buffer? Many farmers, ranchers and land managers have a growing concern over water quality issues. Riparian buffers are one of the most important practices that you can use to help control non- point pollution and improve water quality. Riparian buffers are the grasses, grass-like, forbs, shrubs, trees or other vegetation growing along streams. These plants control erosion and help filter and keep water clean. Cropland fields shouldn’t be planted right up to a stream’s edge where the soil is generally more fragile and subject to erosion. A healthy riparian buffer between cropland and a river system Shrubs, trees and other vegetation protect the stream from pollutants and runoff. They absorb excess nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus from farm and livestock operations. Plants protect the stream banks from erosion by providing a protective barrier against the water. The trunks, branches, stems and leaves intercept the water currents that can weaken and wash away bank material. In addition to protecting water and soil, riparian buffers provide important habitat for aquatic and upland wildlife and also fish habitat. The information contained in this brochure will help you select the best shrubs and trees for installing riparian buffers on your farm or ranch. The plants listed are all highly recommended for use in the Intermountain West and Rocky Mountain States. Included are tips for planning riparian buffers and areas, Aberdeen Plant Materials Center Service area. The selecting plants and taking dormant un-rooted hardwood PMC provides plant based solutions to resource cuttings. concerns throughout the Intermountain and Rocky Mountain regions. Plants for Riparian Buffers Benefits and Functions of Riparian Buffers Reduced water pollution .Intercepts surface runoff and filters sediment .Research has shown that riparian vegetation can remove up to 90% of unused nitrogen from croplands Protection from flood .Slows flood water velocities Cropland eroding into a stream. This field could .Absorb water flows and energy have been protected with a properly managed Erosion control riparian buffer. Photo by Rob Sampson, NRCS. .Protects vulnerable soils . Roots strengthen and stabilize stream banks .Above ground vegetation intercepts wave forces/energy Provides fish and wildlife food and cover habitat .Trees and shrubs create cover and nesting habitat .Shed leaves and fallen insects provide the primary food source for aquatic ecosystems .They serve as habitat-movement corridors for wildlife Native fish benefit from the food and habitat created by riparian buffers. Photo by Pat Clayton, FishEyeGuy Photography. Used with Planning and Design permission. Riparian buffers can be established along streams, lakes, Recommended widths for riparian buffers ponds, and wetlands to improve or maintain water quality, and to protect or improve fish and wildlife Minimum* Optimal habitat. Using a diversity of trees, shrubs, grasses, and (feet) (feet) forbs will provide shade, organic matter, and eventually woody debris to the water body. The type of vegetation, Aquatic species 35 150 configuration, and maintenance regime you use will vary Big game 35 150 depending on site conditions, your objectives and economic concerns. Temporary exclusion of livestock Wildlife diversity 35 150 and wildlife may be required until the desired vegetation Non-game birds and 10 150 is established. Grazing management is essential to mammals maintain healthy riparian buffers. Raptors -- 300+ In general, wider riparian buffers provide better wildlife cover and fish habitat. Maintenance needs will vary by Reptiles, amphibians 35 150 design. Timing of thinning, pruning, burning, and Upland game (pheasants) 10 75 grazing is particularly critical during migration periods, calving, nesting or spawning. When possible, allow large Waterfowl 25 75 dead and dying trees to remain for use by cavity nesters * The minimum buffer width required in the NRCS and for eventual recruitment to the stream channel. Riparian Forest Buffer Standard is 35 feet. Plants for Riparian Buffers Plant Selection Establishment of riparian plants depends on proper selection of species, plant material procurement and handling, planting location, and establishment techniques. When planning a project, it is important to identify the existing vegetation and its respective locations in relationship to the stream and water table. Attempt to match the potential native species at the project site, and to match as closely as possible the correct species with the proper hydrology. Different vegetation forms occur in the various Riparian Planting Zones riparian planting zones as a result of different water and flood conditions. Note: not all streams will have all riparian planting zones present. Refer to the drawing to help you determine where to plant riparian species in relation to the water line. Plants with flexible stems and creeping root systems are usually located from the top of the Toe Zone through the Bank Zone. Most emergent aquatic species (sedges, rushes, etc.) are found in the Toe Zone. Small to medium shrubs are found in the Bank and Overbank Zones and beyond. Large shrubs and trees are usually found in the Transitional and Upland Zones. They should not be planted in other zones because their large stems won’t give if high velocity stream flows hit them. The large stems also tend to block debris and ice that can cause bank erosion. Wetland herbaceous species are found throughout the streambank cross section. Riparian trees and shrubs suitable for use in the Intermountain and Rocky Mountain region Elevation Rooting from Riparian Species Size/Form range Root type cuttings Planting Zone Acer negundo Med. tree Low-Middle Moderately Poor Transitional Box elder spreading Alnus rubra Med. tree Middle-High Shallow spreading Poor Overbank - Red alder Transitional Alnus sinuata Sm.–med. tree Middle-High Shallow spreading Poor Bank-Overbank Sitka alder Alnus incana ssp. tenuifolia Sm.–med. tree Middle-High Shallow spreading Poor Bank-Overbank Thinleaf alder Betula occidentalis Lg. shrub-sm. Middle-High Shallow to deep Poor Bank-Overbank Water birch tree spreading Cornus sericea Med. shrub Middle Shallow Moderate (wounding Bank to Redosier dogwood enhances success) Transitional Crataegus douglasii Sm. Tree Low-Middle Shallow to deep Poor Overbank - Black/Douglas hawthorn spreading Transitional Elaeagnus commutata Med. shrub Low-Middle Shallow Very good Overbank - Silverberry Transitional Pentaphylloides floribunda Sm. shrub Low-Middle Shallow to deep Poor Overbank - Shrubby cinquefoil spreading Transitional Philadelphus lewisii Sm.-med. Low-Middle Spreading fibrous Poor Overbank - Mockorange or Syringa shrub Transitional Populus angustifolia Lg. tree Middle Shallow Very good Transitional Narrowleaf cottonwood Populus fremontii Lg. tree Low-Middle Shallow fibrous Very good Transitional Fremont cottonwood Populus tremuloides Med. tree Middle-High Shallow Poor Transitional Quaking aspen Populus trichocarpa Lg. tree Low-Middle Shallow fibrous Very good Transitional Black cottonwood Prunus virginiana Sm. tree Low-Middle Rhizomatous Good from root cuttings Transitional Chokecherry Rhus trilobata Med.–lg. shrub Low-Middle Deep spreading Poor Transitional Skunkbush sumac rhizomatous Ribes aureum Sm.–med. Low-Middle Spreading Good (in greenhouse) Overbank Golden currant shrub Ribes cereum Sm.–med. Middle-High Spreading Fair Overbank - Wax currant shrub Transitional Rosa woodsii Sm.–med. Low-Middle Shallow to deep Good (in greenhouse) Bank - Wood’s rose shrub Transitional Sambucus coerulea Sm. tree Middle Rhizomatous Poor Transitional Blue elderberry Sambucus racemosa Med. shrub Middle-High Spreading Poor Transitional Red elderberry Shepherdia argentea Lg. shrub Low-Middle Rhizomatous Poor Transitional Silver buffaloberry Symphoricarpos albus Sm. shrub Low-Middle Spreading Very good Overbank - Common snowberry Transitional Riparian trees and shrubs suitable for use in the Intermountain and Rocky Mountain region Flooding Drought Deposition Salinity Species tolerance tolerance Wildlife value tolerance tolerance Acer negundo High High Big game browse, High Medium Box elder upland bird food Alnus rubra Medium Low Big game browse, Medium Low Red alder upland bird food Alnus sinuata Medium Low Big game browse, Medium Low Sitka alder upland bird food Alnus incana ssp. tenuifolia Medium Low Big game browse Medium Low Thinleaf alder Betula occidentalis Medium Low Big game browse, Medium Low Water birch small mammal and upland bird food Cornus sericea High Medium Browse and cover for Low Low Redosier dogwood many species Crataegus douglasii Low High Big game browse Medium Low Black/Douglas hawthorn Elaeagnus commutata High Medium Big game browse High Medium Silverberry Pentaphylloides floribunda Unknown High Big game browse Unknown Unknown Shrubby cinquefoil Philadelphus lewisii Unknown Unknown Big game browse Unknown Unknown Mockorange or Syringa Populus angustifolia Medium High Big game browse Medium Medium Narrowleaf cottonwood Populus fremontii Medium Medium Big game browse Medium Medium Fremont cottonwood Populus tremuloides Low Medium Big game browse Low Medium Quaking aspen Populus trichocarpa Medium Medium Big game browse Medium Unknown Black cottonwood Prunus virginiana Low Low-Medium Birds and small Low Low-Medium Chokecherry

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